Schools forced to close doors

The department of basic education (DBE) said 523 pupils and 1 169 school staff members have tested positive for Covid-19, impacting on 775 schools across the country.

“Schools have been temporarily closed and reopened around the country in the past three weeks to allow affected areas to be disinfected,” the DBE said in a statement.

“Schools – just like clinics, police stations, shops, mines and other frequently visited places – have found themselves also having to close and reopen.

“This is in response to infections identified during the screening process and in line with health protocols on how to treat and environment with possible contamination,” the department added.

The department urged schools to strictly follow health protocols to manage Covid-19 and to ensure pupils and employees were screened using the department’s Covid-19 procedures and questionnaire.

“Pupils and employees should report any of the following additional symptoms: body aches, loss of smell or loss of taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness or tiredness.

“Schools should also ensure that pupils and employees are informed on the correct use of cloth masks and that a risk assessment is conducted to identify employees needing personal protective equipment, the department said.

“Schools play an important role in the efforts to control the spread of Covid-19.

“Schools must therefore take steps to circulate information about the disease and its potential transmission within the school community.

“Schools must prepare to take all the steps necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among their pupils and staff, should health officials identify the need,” it said.

School plans should also be designed to minimise disruption to teaching and protect pupils and staff from stigma or discrimination, the department said.

“Plans can build on the recommended everyday practices [the golden rules].

“Those are encouraging conscientious hand hygiene [frequent and thorough hand washing and avoidance of touching of the face and eyes], cough etiquette, staying at home when sick, and monitoring absenteeism and communicating routinely,” the department said.

–News24 Wire

Schools play an important role in the efforts to control the spread of Covid-19.

Statement from the national department of education